Simplicity

Recently, the topic of one of the photo challenges I participate in was "minimal".  Minimalism is a type of photography that is intriguing to me, though I find it difficult to "see" when I'm out with the camera.  It was cold outdoors, so I headed to a workshop to see what I could find.  After a while, the photographic opportunities began jumping out at me.  Here are a few.

 

"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together."

Vincent Van Gogh

A winter's day

It's been a chilly lately, but when the weather warmed a little yesterday, it was good to be outdoors.

"You can't get too much winter in the winter."

Robert Frost

Snowy Owl

Finally ... after 2 years of trying, this guy finally let me come close enough.  I don't have the equipment (or the patience) for bird photography, but once in while one of these amazingly beautiful creatures cooperates.

"You can observe a lot by watching."

Yogi Berra

Happy New Year

"And now we welcome the New Year.  Full of things that have never been."  Rainer Maria Rilke

Merry Christmas

Through the years
we all will be together
If the fates allow
Hang a shining star
     upon the highest bow
And have yourself a
     Merry Little Christmas now.
From Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
                lyrics by Ralph Blane

Winter wonderland

Sleigh bells ring
Are you listening
In the lane
Snow is glistening
A beautiful sight
We're happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland.
From Winter Wonderland
          by Richard B. Smith

November morning

"I like spring, but it is too young.  I like summer, but it is too proud.  So I like best of all autumn, because its tone is mellower, its colours are richer, and it is tinged with a little sorrow.  Its golden richness speaks not of the innocence of spring, nor the power of summer, but of the mellowness and kindly wisdom of approaching age.  It knows the limitations of life and is content."

Lin Yutang

The end of autumn

Tomorrow is not the first day of winter, but if the forecast is correct it will be the first winter day.  I have enjoyed finding the beauty in my yard throughout the fall.  Here are a few recent shots.

 

A rosebud! in November!

I planted this alyssum in spring.  It did nothing all summer but is blooming now!

"Yet one smile more, departing, distant sun! ...
Yet one rich smile, and we will try to bear
That piercing winter frost, and winds, and darkened air."
from Autumn
       by William Cullen Bryant

Autumn colour

There is no season quite like autumn for being outdoors with the camera.  Everywhere you look colour abounds.  The greatest danger is sensory overload.  There is so much to see that's it's easy to become overwhelmed by it.

"A few days ago I walked along the edge of the lake and was treated to the crunch and rustle of each step I made.  The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds, no matter how hushed, are as crisp as autumn air."
Eric Sloane

Autumn leaves

I have saved my photos of autumn leaves for today.

 

And now for some artistic fun:

"The winds will blow their own freshness into you,

and the storms their energy,

while cares will drop away from you

like the leaves of autumn."

John Muir